The reports, which indicated Gligorov had suffered serious head injuries including a fractured skull, conflicted with statements by Macedonian radio, quoting doctors at Skopje's main hospital. These also spoke of head injuries but said the 78-year-old president's life was not in danger. The radio said was Gligorov was conscious and talked to doctors treating him. It that Gligorov had undergone an operation and that France had been asked to send medical assistance.
There was no medical bulletin from the government several hours after the explosion in central Skopje as the president drove to his office in the national parliament.
The bomb, triggered by remote control, exploded in a parked car outside the Bristol Hotel about 250 meters from the parliament and seriously wounded three bystanders.
Gligorov's driver, Aleksander Spirovski, died instantly from massive head injuries from the blast.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack but police arrested two men who tried to flee the scene by car.
Gligorov's astute political leadership has been crucial to Macedonia's peaceful transition to independence since leaving Yugoslavia in 1991.
It was alone among the four secessionist republics to escape war but has been plagued by disputes with neighboring Greece, Serbia and Albania.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.